We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($491 USD)
access_time almost 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
I am leading a more promising life after receiving the transfer. This is because the funds enabled me attain my dream goal of becoming a plant operator. I was almost becoming pessimistic regarding the pursuit of my dream course and job if not for the GiveDirectly's financial aid. Since I have just completed the course, I am very optimistic about securing a well-paying job soon. Once I get employed, our family shall lead a better life because we will get significant amounts of money for educating other members and purchasing our needs and demands.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well since it doesn't discriminate against anyone; every deserving and legit household in the village is enrolled. Thus, I find nothing that GiveDirectly doesn't do well.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used all the second transfer on funding my education since I was pursuing a short course on plant operations. Since I am a single mother from a humble background, my worry has been how to raise the college fees. The meagre income I usually attain from varied casual tasks that I handle in my vicinity could barely sustain us, leaving me with no savings for funding my studies.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($502 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I was away from my home when I received the good news. I had visited my family who lives in Nakuru and I was on the farm tilling the land when I heard a message notification on my phone. I decided to check it and to my surprise, it was an M-pesa SMS saying that I had received my first transfer of 55000/= from GiveDirectly. I was so happy to see it and I even postponed the work that I was doing to another day. I dedicated the rest of the day to celebrate giving thanks to God for opening a way for me.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The transfer from GiveDirectly has brought positive changes in my household. Getting enough money for my school fees has been quite a challenge for me. This transfer has thus enabled me to raise enough money and hence I will be able to join school soon. The calf that I bought will help me in the future. When it grows and reaches reproduction stage, I will be able to get milk that my family can consume, and hence we will no longer have to buy milk. The transfer also enabled me to buy food that my family can consume for quite some time. I will hence not be having any worries about what they are going to eat for some time. I have also been able to buy stuff that were missing in my household, that is a mattress and some clothes for my child and I. Life has hence become better and we now live like the rest of our neighbors.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
The transfer from GiveDirectly has helped me in several ways. I used part of it that is 30000/= to pay for my school fees. I also bought a calf that was going for 15000/=. With the remaining amount, I used it in buying maize for my family consumption. I also bought some items that were missing in my household like a mattress and clothes for my child and I. I have been saving up some money for my school fees but I have not been able to save enough since there are other needs that I need to attend to. I have to buy food for my family and pay school fees for my child. I have hence not been able to join school because I did not have enough money. I appreciate GiveDirectly for enabling me to achieve my dreams.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
I am a lady who is so much obsessed with earthmovers. I have always wanted to enroll in a course on the same but financial constraints have kept me out. I have an admission letter from the Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology but I have been deferring my studies due to lack of school fees. I have been seeking help from well-wishers to help me raise Ksh 85000 required for this course to no avail. This frustrates me because I have a feeling that my destiny revolves around this. Receiving this money will once again revive my hopes that one day I will finish my studies.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am always happy in the morning than at any other time of the day. Each brand new day comes with the hope of better things to come, that no matter the challenges now, good things are on the way.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Living as a single lady is the biggest challenge I have gone through. Life is full of hardships and tackling them all by yourself can be so hard. I have one child from my previous relationship and when he falls sick I am left running up and down seeking treatment all alone. Talk of boredom and loneliness that engulf my house every single evening. I have no one to talk to and share my frustrations. This ordeal makes me feel like I am disconnected from the rest of the world. This is not the kind of life I ever anticipated when I was growing up.
